Power Asset Command and Control Architecture

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are system and method embodiments for a power tracking and control architecture. An embodiment operates by compiling a data telegram, wherein the data telegram comprises a plurality of blocks; sending, by a first communication path of the controller, the data telegram to a second tier of the tiered network, wherein at least one power asset of the second tier of the tiered network is configured to update a power profile according to at least one block of the data telegram; and receiving, by a second communication path of the tiered network, an update from the at least one power asset of the second tier of the tiered network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/965,481, filed Apr. 27, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/065,543, filed Mar. 9, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,965,016), which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

With a rise in the reliance on renewable energy, new challenges arise insupplying power to off-grid facilities. Such challenges include thestorage of renewable energy, cost of renewable energy, and reliabilityof renewable energy. Today, hybrid power systems allow for off-gridfacilities to be powered by a variety of power generation sources,including renewable sources. These systems allow off-grid facilities torely on renewable energy sources when available, but also allowfacilities to use power from a grid when renewable energy sources arenot available or viable.

However, these hybrid power systems are often costly to install andrequire multiple units in order to utilize power from a variety ofsources. Due to this, a large amount of effort is required to integrateand maintain these separate units together. The use of multiple unitsalso requires customers to designate a large amount of space for theunits, space an off-site facility may not have. Further, when one unitmalfunctions or deactivates, the hybrid power system may not functionuntil that unit is repaired or replaced, causing a loss of time to theoff-site facility.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, methodand/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations andsub-combinations thereof, for a power tracking and control architecture.

An embodiment includes a power management control system. The powermanagement control system may include a plurality of power assetsarranged in a tiered network that is arranged in a tree architecture. Afirst tier of this tiered network may comprise a controller configuredto output a data telegram communicating a desired output for a powergeneration source. A second tier of this tiered network may comprise atleast one power asset configured to receive, by a first communicationpath of the tiered network, the data telegram from the first tier,adjust an output of the power generation source according to the datatelegram from the first tier, and report, by a second communication pathof the tiered network, an update of the power generation source to thefirst tier. Further, a third tier of this tiered network may comprise atleast one power asset configured to receive, by the first communicationpath of the tiered network, the data telegram from the second tier.

Another embodiment includes, in a tiered network comprising a controllerand a plurality of power assets arranged in a tree architecture, asystem. The system includes a memory and at least one processor of asecond tier of the tiered network coupled to the memory. The processormay be configured to receive, by a first communication path of thetiered network, a data telegram from a first tier of the tiered network,wherein the data telegram comprises a desired output for a powergeneration source visualize a plurality of available analytic data in agraphical user interface. Further, the processor may be configured toadjust the output of the power generation source according to the datatelegram. Additionally, the processor may be configured to report, by asecond communication path of the tiered network, an update of the powergeneration source to the first tier of the tiered network and send, bythe first communication path of the tiered network, the data telegram toa third tier of the tiered network.

A further embodiment includes, in a tiered network comprising acontroller and a plurality of power assets arranged in a treearchitecture, a method. The method may comprise compiling a datatelegram, wherein the data telegram comprises a plurality of blocks. Themethod may also comprise sending, by a first communication path of thecontroller, the data telegram to a second tier of the tiered network,wherein at least one power asset of the second tier of the tierednetwork is configured to update a power profile according to at leastone block of the data telegram. Additionally, the method may comprisereceiving, by a second communication path of the tiered network, anupdate from the at least one power asset of the second tier of thetiered network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hybrid power controlsystem 100, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hybrid power controlunit 200, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of hybrid power controlmodule 300, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating system architecture 400 for hybridpower control module 300, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating bi-directional communication betweenone through N tiers of system architecture 400, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating data telegram 600, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for sending a data telegrambetween tiers of system architecture 400, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of steps performed inresponse to an indication of a malfunctioning power asset within atiered network, according to an embodiment.

The drawing are representative of embodiments of the invention. In thedrawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical or similarelements. Additionally, generally, the left-most digit(s) of a referencenumber identifies the drawing in which the reference number firstappears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein are system, method and/or computer program productembodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, forexporting analytic data.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hybrid power controlsystem 100, according to an embodiment. The hybrid power control system100 may comprise power controller 102, plurality of power generationsources 104 (comprising power sources 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, and 104 d),plurality of loads 106 (comprising loads 106 a, 106 b, 106 c, 106 d, 106e, and 106 f), and plurality of power storages 108 (comprising powerstorage 108 a, 108 b, 108 c, 108 d, 108 e, and 108 f). According to anembodiment, power generations sources 104 may comprise a plurality ofpower generation source types such as photovoltaic solar panels, windturbines, diesel generators, electrical grids, hydroelectric sources, orany combination thereof—to name a few.

According to an embodiment, power characteristics of the power generatedby power generation sources 104 may be dependent on environmentalconditions. The power characteristics may comprise the frequency,voltage, current, amplitude, or any combination thereof, of the powergenerated. The environmental conditions may comprise solar irradiance,temperature of the environment, temperature of the power generationsource, mass of the air, or any combination thereof—to name a few. Forexample, power generation sources 104 may comprise a photovoltaic solarpanel which outputs power at a voltage that is dependent upon solarirradiance (i.e. the voltage of the power generated by the solar panelchanges as the solar irradiance changes).

According to an embodiment, power generation sources 104 may beconnected to power controller 102. Power controller 102 may comprise amicrocontroller unit (MCU), maximum power point tracker (MPPT), gridrectifier, distributed generation (DG) rectifier, inverters, or anycombination thereof—to name a few. In an embodiment, power controller102 may control characteristics of the power generated by powergeneration sources 104. Power controller 102 may control these powercharacteristics through adjusting loads attached to a power generationsources, pulse width modulation (PWM), maximum power point tracking,automatic gain control (AGC), or any combination thereof—to name a fewexamples.

In another embodiment, power controller 102 may maintain desiredcharacteristics of power generated by power sources 104 wherein thepower generated is dependent on environmental conditions. Powercontroller 102 may maintain desired characteristics of the powergenerated through the use of PWM or maximum power point tracking, toname a couple of examples. For example, the voltage of power generatedby a photovoltaic solar panel may change based on the solar irradiance.Power controller 102 may be configured to maintain a desired voltage forthe power generated by the photovoltaic solar panel through the use ofPWM or maximum power point tracking.

In an embodiment, power controller may control the activation anddeactivation of power generation sources 104. Power controller 104 maycontrol the activation/deactivation of power generation sources 104through the sending of activate/deactivate commands, electronicswitching, mechanical switching, or any combination thereof—to name someexamples.

In an embodiment, power generated by powers generation sources 104 isfed to loads 106 and power storage 108. Loads 106 may comprise aplurality of load types found at different locations such load typesfound at oil pipelines, telecommunication stations, residential homes,oil rigs, cities, offices, factories, military facilities, or anycombination thereof. Each of the load types may have different powerrequirements for the loads to operate. Such power requirements maycomprise desired frequencies, voltages, currents, amplitudes, or anycombination thereof. According to an embodiment, the power flow frompower generation sources 104 to loads 106 is regulated by powercontroller 102 based on these power requirements, as discussed furtherin the discussion of FIG. 2.

In an embodiment, power storages 108 may comprise a plurality of powerstorage types such as batteries, flywheels, capacitors, deep-cyclebatteries, or any combination thereof—to name a few. Each of the powerstorage types may have different power requirements to allow the powerstorage types to store energy. Such power requirements may comprisedesired frequencies, voltages, currents, amplitudes, or any combinationthereof. For example, power storage 108 may comprise a plurality ofbatteries that require a desired voltage in order to charge. Accordingto an embodiment, the power flow from power generation sources 104 topower storage 108 is regulated by power controller 102 based on thesepower requirements, as discussed further in the discussion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hybrid power controlunit 200, according to an embodiment. The hybrid power control unit 200may comprise power controller 202, a plurality of charge controllers212, a second plurality of charge controllers 214, a plurality ofinverter modules 216, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, thehybrid power control system may control the distribution of power from aplurality of power sources (204, 206, 208, and 210 respectively) toplurality of loads 220 and plurality of power storages 218. Theplurality of power sources may comprise photovoltaic solar panels 204,wind turbines 206, diesel generators 208, an electrical grid 210, or anycombination thereof—to name a few examples. Power controller 202 maycontrol the flow of the power outputs from the power sources to chargecontrollers 212, charge controllers 214, power storages 218, invertermodules 216, or any combination thereof. Power controller 202 maycomprise a MCU, a computer, a mobile device, or any combinationthereof—to name a few examples.

According to an embodiment, power controller 202 may control the flow ofthe power outputs through multiplexers 222 and 224. Multiplexers 222 and224 may comprise a plurality of electrical switches, a plurality oflogic gates, digital multiplexers, or any combination thereof—to name afew examples.

The power outputs of each of the power sources may be fed intomultiplexer 222.

Multiplexer 222 may receive a command from power controller 202 thatdetermines how the outputs from the power sources are forwarded tocharge controllers 212, charge controllers 214, power storages 218,multiplexer 224, or any combination thereof. The power outputs ofmultiplexer 222, charge controllers 212 and charge controllers 214 maybe fed into multiplexer 224. Multiplexer 224 may receive a command frompower controller 202 that determines how the outputs from multiplexer222, charge controllers 212 and charge controllers 214 are forwarded topower storages 218 and inverters 216.

For example, the power sources may comprise photovoltaic solar panels204, wind turbines 206, diesel generators 208, and an electrical grid210. The outputs of these power sources may be fed into multiplexer 222.Multiplexer 222 may receive a command from controller 202 that comprisesdata instructing multiplexer 222 to forward the power output fromphotovoltaic solar panels 204 to charge controllers 212, the poweroutput from wind turbines 206 to multiplexer 224, and the power outputfrom diesel generator 208 to charge controllers 214.

Building on this example, multiplexer 224 may receive a command frompower controller 202 that comprises data instructing multiplexer 224 toforward the power output from charge controllers 212 to inverter modules216, the power output from wind turbines 206 to power storages 218, andthe output from charge controllers 214 to power storages 218.

Charge controllers 212 and 214 may comprise MPPTs, grid rectifiers, DGrectifiers, PWN controllers, or any combination thereof. In anembodiment, charge controllers 212 and 214 may receive commands frompower controller 202 comprising a power profile. The power profile maycomprise data to control the power characteristics of the powergenerated by the plurality of power sources and output a power withdesired characteristics to meet the power requirements of power storages218 and loads 220.

For example, power storages 218 may comprise a plurality of batteriesrequiring direct current (DC) to charge. By way of multiplexer 222, thepower output from diesel generator 208 (in alternating current (AC)) maybe fed to charge controllers 214 which comprise DG rectifiers. Chargecontrollers 214 may receive a power profile from power controller 202comprising data for charge controllers 214 to rectify the power outputfrom the diesel generator from AC to DC.

As another example, loads 220 may comprise a type of load that requiresa desired voltage to operate. By way of multiplexer 222, the poweroutput from photovoltaic solar panels 204 may be fed to chargecontrollers 212 which comprise MPPTs. Charge controllers 212 may receivea power profile from power controller 202 to control the voltage of thepower output of the photovoltaic solar panels to meet the desiredvoltage required for the loads to operate.

According to an embodiment, loads 220 may comprise types of loads thatrequire AC to operate. Inverter modules 216 may convert power receivedfrom the power generation sources and charge controllers from DC to AC,if necessary. For example, a power output from wind turbines 206 mayoutput in DC and be fed to inverter modules 216. Inverter modules 216may convert the power from wind turbines 206 from DC to AC to meet therequirements of the types of loads of loads 220.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of hybrid power controlmodule 300, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, hybrid powercontrol module may comprise a power distribution unit (PDU) 304, MCU306, a plurality of charge controllers 308 comprising charge controllermodules 308 a-d, a plurality of rectifiers 310 comprising rectifiermodules 310 a-d, and a plurality of inverters 312 comprising invertermodules 312 a and 312 b. According to an example embodiment, hybridpower control module 300 may be located in a single housing 302.

PDU 304 may comprise a plurality of electrical input connections and aplurality of electrical output connections. The electrical input andoutput connections may be rated for a variety of voltages, currents,frequencies, or any combination thereof—to name a few.

In an embodiment, the electrical input connections of PDU 304 may beconnected to a plurality of power generation sources. Power generatedfrom the plurality of generation sources may flow from the powergeneration sources to charge controllers 308, rectifiers 310, andinverters 312 of hybrid power control module 300 via the electricalinput connections of PDU 304, with the flow of power being controlled byMCU 306 as described in the discussion of FIG. 2.

According to an embodiment, power outputs from the power generationsources as well as charge controllers 308, rectifiers 310, and inverters312 of hybrid power control module 300, may flow to the electricaloutput connections of PDU 304. The electrical output connections of PDU304 may be connected to power storages 218 and loads 220. The flow ofpower from the power generation sources and charge controllers 308,rectifiers 310, and inverters 312 to power storages 218 and loads 220,connected via the electrical output connections of PDU 304, may becontrolled by MCU 306 as described in the discussion of FIG. 2.

In an embodiment, MCU 306, charge controllers 308, rectifiers 310, andinverters 312 of hybrid power control module 300 may be hot swappable.When MCU 306, a charge controller 308, rectifier 310, or inverter 312 ofhybrid power control module 300 is removed and replaced with anotherpower asset of the same type, the newly installed power asset willcontinue to operate as the power asset that it replaced. For example, acharge controller 308 in hybrid power control module 300 may beprogrammed to receive a power output from photovoltaic solar panels 204,control the voltage of the power output from photovoltaic solar panels204 to a desired voltage, and output the controlled power output topower storages 218. When this charge controller 308 is removed fromhybrid power control module 300 and replaced with a new chargecontroller, the new charge controller will continue to operate as thereplaced charge controller 308.

According to an embodiment, hybrid power control module 300 may includea memory. The memory may comprise ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or any combinationthereof—to name a few examples. The memory of hybrid power controlmodule 300 may be connected to MCU 306, charge controllers 308,rectifiers 310, and inverters 312 and may store power profiles receivedby MCU 306, charge controllers 308, rectifiers 310, and inverters 312.For example, a charge controller of hybrid power control module 300 mayreceive a power profile from MCU 306 instructing the charge controllerto control the voltage of the power output from photovoltaic solarpanels 204 to a desired voltage for power storages 218. The memory ofhybrid power control module 300 may store this command and apply it toany charge controller that replaces the original.

In another embodiment, a power asset that replaces an original asset maycommunicate with other power assets in the system through thebi-directional communication of the system architecture furtherdiscussed in FIG. 5. By communicating with the other power assets in thesystem, a newly installed power asset may ascertain its placement androle within the system and operate as the power asset that was replaced.

For example, a charge controller of hybrid power control module 300 maybe programmed to receive a power output from photovoltaic solar panels204, control the voltage of the power output from photovoltaic solarpanels 204 to a desired voltage, and output the controlled power outputto power storages 218. When this charge controller is removed andreplaced with a new charge controller, the new charge controller maycommunicate with the other power assets in the system to ascertain itsplacement and role in the system and will operate as the chargecontroller that was replaced.

In an embodiment, MCU 306 may receive signals from remote location 314.Remote location may comprise a computer, a mobile device, a mobilephone, a MCU, or any combination thereof—to name a few examples. MCU 306may receive signals from remote location 314 via radio, intranet,internet, WIFI, a cellular network, or any combination thereof.

According to an embodiment, when MCU 306 receives a signal from remotelocation 314, MCU 306 may compile a data telegram, as depicted in thediscussion of FIG. 6. The data telegram may comprise commands for thepower flow and power profiles for charge controllers 308, rectifiers310, and inverters 312 of hybrid power control module 300 as describedin the discussion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating system architecture 400 for hybridpower control module 300, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment,system architecture 400 may comprise a plurality of tiers in a treearchitecture with each tier comprising a plurality of power assets.Power assets may comprise MCU 306, charge controllers 308, rectifiers310, inverters 312 of hybrid power control module 300, or anycombination thereof.

In an embodiment, a first tier of the system architecture 400 comprisespower asset 402 which may comprise a MCU, a computer, a mobile device,or any combination thereof. Power asset 402 may be configured to receivesignals from remote location 314. When power asset 402 receives a signalfrom remote location 314, power asset 402 may compile a data telegram,as described further in the discussion of FIG. 6. The data telegram maycomprise commands for the power flow and power profiles for chargecontrollers 308, rectifiers 310, and inverters 312 of hybrid powercontrol module 300 as described in the discussion of FIG. 2.

According to an embodiment, power asset 402 may send the data telegramto a second tier of the system architecture 400. The second tier of thesystem architecture 400 may comprise a plurality of power assets, suchas power assets 404, 406, or any combination thereof. Power assets ofthe second tier of the system architecture 400 may comprise MCUs, chargecontrollers 308, rectifiers 310, inverters 312 of hybrid power controlmodule 300, or any combination thereof. In an example embodiment, thesecond tier of system architecture 400 may comprise up to up to 16 powerassets.

In an embodiment, each power asset of the second tier may process thedata telegram received as discussed in the method of FIG. 7. Once thedata telegram has been processed, each power asset of the second tiermay send the data telegram to a third tier of the system architecture400. The third tier of the system architecture 400 may comprise aplurality of power assets, such as power assets 408, 410, 412, 414, orany combination thereof. Power assets of the second tier of the systemarchitecture 400 may comprise MCUs, charge controllers 308, rectifiers310, inverters 312 of hybrid power control module 300, or anycombination thereof.

According to an embodiment, each power asset of the second tier isconnected to a group of assets of the third tier. For example, powerasset 404 may be connected to power assets 408 and 410 of the thirdtier, and power asset 406 may be connected to power assets 412 and 414of the third tier. In an example embodiment, each power asset of thesecond tier is connected to a group of up to 16 power assets of thethird tier.

In an embodiment, after the power assets of the second tier haveprocessed the data telegram as discussed in the method of FIG. 7, eachpower asset of the second tier may send the datagram to the group ofpower assets of the third tier for which it is connected. For example,power asset 404 may send the data telegram to power assets 408 and 410and power asset 406 may send the data telegram to power assets 412 and414.

In an embodiment, each power asset of the third tier may process thedata telegram received from the second tier as discussed in the methodof FIG. 7. Once the data telegram has been processed, each power assetof the third tier may send the data telegram to a fourth tier of thesystem architecture 400. The fourth tier of the system architecture 400may comprise a plurality of power assets, such as power assets 416, 418,420, 422, 424, 426, 428, and 430 or any combination thereof.

According to an embodiment, as with the second tier, each power asset ofthe third tier is connected to a group of assets of the fourth tier. Forexample, power asset 408 may be connected to power assets 416 and 418 ofthe fourth tier, power asset 410 may be connected to power assets 420and 422 of the fourth tier, power asset 412 may be connected to powerassets 424 and 426 of the fourth tier, and power asset 414 may beconnected to power assets 428 and 430 of the fourth tier. In an exampleembodiment, each power asset of the third tier is connected to a groupof up to 16 power assets of the fourth tier.

In an embodiment, after the power assets of the third tier haveprocessed the data telegram as discussed in the method of FIG. 7, eachpower asset of the third tier may send the datagram to the group powerassets of the fourth tier for which it is connected. For example, powerasset 408 may send the data telegram to power assets 416 and 418, powerasset 410 may send the data telegram to power assets 420 and 422, powerasset 412 may send the data telegram to power assets 424 and 426, andpower asset 414 may send the data telegram to power assets 428 and 430.

In an embodiment, each power asset of the fourth tier may process thedata telegram received from the third tier as discussed in the method ofFIG. 7. Once the data telegram has been processed, each power asset ofthe third tier may send the data telegram to a fifth tier of the systemarchitecture 400. The fifth tier of the system architecture 400 maycomprise a plurality of power assets, such as power assets 432, 434,436, 438, 440, and 442 or any combination thereof.

According to an embodiment, the fourth tier and the fifth tier arelikewise connected as the second tier to the third tier, or the thirdtier to the fourth tier, as demonstrated in FIG. 4. In an exampleembodiment, each power asset of the fourth tier may be connected to upto 16 power assets of the fifth tier.

In another embodiment, system architecture 400 may comprise a number oftiers likewise connected together as depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating bi-directional communication betweenone through N tiers of system architecture 400, according to anembodiment. In an embodiment, each power asset allows for bi-directionalcommunication. Each power asset within a tier of system architecture 400comprises two signal lines. Signal lines may comprise receiver (RX)lines, transmitter (TX) lines, serial lines, buses, or any combinationthereof—to name a few examples.

According to an embodiment, the tiers of system architecture 400, maytransfer data over two data pathways in parallel, i.e. two streams ofdata may be transferred between the tiers simultaneously. A first datapathway may comprise data paths comprising connections between the firstsignal lines of each power asset between tiers within systemarchitecture 400, and a second data pathway may comprise data pathscomprising connections between the second signal lines of each powerasset between tiers within system architecture 400.

For example a first data pathway between tier 1 502, tier 2 504, tier 3506, and tier N 508 of system architecture 400 may comprise data paths510, 514, and 518. Wherein data path 510 comprises the connectionsbetween the first signal lines of the power assets of tier 1 502 andtier 2 504, data path 514 comprises the connections between the firstsignal lines of the power assets of tier 2 504 and tier 3 506, and datapath 518 comprises the connections between the first signal lines of thepower assets of tier 3 506 and tier N 508.

As another example, a second data pathway between tier 1 502, tier 2504, tier 3 506, and tier N 508 of system architecture 400 may comprisedata paths 512, 516, and 520. Wherein data path 512 comprises theconnections between the second signal lines of the power assets of tier1 502 and tier 2 504, data path 516 comprises the connections betweenthe second signal lines of the power assets of tier 2 504 and tier 3506, and data path 520 comprises the connections between the secondsignal lines of the power assets of tier 3 506 and tier N 508.

According to an embodiment, a data telegram from MCU 306 may be sent toeach tier using the first pathway of system architecture 400. While thedata telegram is being sent between the tiers, the second signal pathwayof system architecture 400 may be used by the power assets to sendresponses to MCU 306 as detailed in the method of FIG. 7.

In an embodiment, the bi-directional communication may be used by apower asset to communicate with other power assets in the system todetermine its position in system architecture 400 and its role in hybridpower control module 300. The position may comprise the power asset'slocation in the tiered structure of system architecture 400 and the rolemay comprise power profiles sent from MCU 306. For example, areplacement power asset may request information from power assets towhich it is connected. The requested information may comprise theposition information of the power assets to which the replacement powerasset is connected, the latest data telegram received, identificationinformation of the power assets to which it is connected, or anycombination thereof—to name a few examples.

According to another embodiment, the bi-directional communication may beused to create redundancy within system architecture 400. When a powerasset with system architecture 400 deactivates or malfunctions, thebi-directional communication can be used to alert other power assetswithin system architecture 400 that such a deactivation or malfunctionhas occurred. For example, a power asset may detect that a malfunctionedpower asset is no longer connected. The power asset may then alert, viathe bi-directional communication, other power assets within the systemarchitecture 400 that the malfunction has occurred, allowing the otherpower assets to compensate for the malfunction.

As an example, a power output from photovoltaic solar panels 204 may befed to five MPPTs (power assets) within tier 3 of system architecture400 that have received power profiles from MCU 306 to regulate thecurrent to 50A, for example, in order to charge batteries within powerstorages 218. To provide 50A to the batteries, each of the 5 MPPTs mayoutput 10 A to the batteries, for example. If one of the five MPPTsmalfunction, other power assets within the system may alert, via thebi-directional communication of system architecture 400, the other fourMPPTs that the malfunction has occurred. In response to the alert, theother four MPPTs may alter their power profiles to output 12.5 A each inorder to provide 50A to the batteries, for example.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating data telegram 600, according to anembodiment. In an embodiment, data telegram 600 may comprise blocks 602,604, 606, and 608. Block 602 may comprise synchronization bits, or asynchword. Synchronization bits may comprise data indicating the end ofheader information and the beginning the data, or frame, of the datatelegram 600.

According to an embodiment, block 604 may comprise object type bytes.Object type bytes may comprise data indicating the type of power assetsfor which the data telegram is intended. For example, MCU 306 may senddata telegram 600 instructing MPPTs of the second tier to change theirpower profile to control the current of photovoltaic solar panels 204and output 10 A. In this case, block 604 of data telegram 600 maycomprise object type bytes comprising data indicating the data telegramis meant for MPPTs of the second tier.

In an embodiment, block 606 may comprise data bytes. Data bytes maycomprise data indicating commands to power assets. These commands maycomprise changes to power profiles, request for responses,activation/deactivation requests, or any combination thereof—to name afew. For example, MCU 306 may send data telegram 600 instructing MPPTsof the second tier to change their power profile to control the currentof photovoltaic solar panels 204 and output 10 A. In this case, block606 of data telegram 600 may comprise data bytes comprising dataindicating to change power profiles to control the current ofphotovoltaic solar panels 204 and output 10 A.

According to an embodiment, block 608 may comprise a number of objectsfor which an answer is requested. The answer requested may be statusinformation, power profile information, connection information, or anycombination thereof—to name a few. For example, MCU 306 may send a datatelegram 600 instructing MPPTs of the second tier to change their powerprofile to control the current of photovoltaic solar panels 204 andoutput 10 A and requesting that five MPPTs of the second tier answerwith status information. In this case, block 608 may compriseinformation indicating that five MPPTs are to respond with an answerwith status information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for sending a data telegramin system architecture 400, according to an embodiment.

At block 702, an exemplary data telegram is constructed by MCU 306. Forexample, MCU 306 may construct a data telegram instructing MPPTs of thesecond tier to change their power profile to control the current ofphotovoltaic solar panels 206 each to output 10 A and that five_MPPTsare to respond with an answer with status information. In this case, adata telegram would be constructed comprising block 604 that comprisesdata indicating the data telegram is meant for MPPTs of the second tier,block 606 that comprises data indicating to change power profiles tocontrol the current of photovoltaic solar panels 204, and block 608 thatcomprises information indicating that five MPPTs are to respond with ananswer with status information.

At block 704, the data telegram is sent to the next tier of dataarchitecture 400 via the first communication path. For example, MCU 306may send the data telegram to power assets of the second tier via thefirst communication path.

At block 706, the power assets that received the data telegram via thefirst communication path determine whether the object type data of thedata telegram matches the type of the power asset that received the datatelegram. For example, the power assets of the second tier may receive adata telegram comprising instructions that MPPTs of the second tierchange their power profile to control the current of photovoltaic solarpanels 204 and output 10 A and that five MPPTs of the second tier answerwith status information. Each power asset of the second tier will thendetermine whether they match the object type of the data telegram. Inthis case, only assets that are MPPTs would determine that they matchthe object type.

If a power asset determines that it does not match the object type ofthe data telegram, the system will then repeat block 704 and send thedata telegram to a next tier via the first communication path. If apower asset does determine that it does match the object type of thedata telegram, the system will then move on to block 708.

At block 708, the power assets that matched the object type determinewhether the number of assets indicated by the data telegram has beenmet. For example, the power assets of the second tier may receive a datatelegram comprising instructions MPPTs of the second tier to changetheir power profile to control the current of photovoltaic solar panels204 and output 10 A and that five MPPTs of the second tier answer withstatus information. Each power asset of the second tier that matched theobject type will then determine whether five MPPTs have alreadyresponded to the data telegram. A power asset may determine this basedon its position in the system architecture 400.

If a power asset determines that the number of assets has been met, thesystem will then repeat block 704 and send the data telegram to the nexttier via the first communication path. If a power asset determines thatthe number of assets has not been met, the system will then move on toblock 710.

At block 710, the power assets that matched the object type anddetermined the number of objects had not been met perform operationsbased on the data telegram. For example, the power assets of the secondtier may receive a data telegram comprising instructions MPPTs of thesecond tier to change their power profile to control the current ofphotovoltaic solar panels 204 and output 10 A and that five MPPTs of thesecond tier answer with status information. In this case, power assetsthat matched the object type and determined the number of objects hadnot been met will change their power profile to control the current ofphotovoltaic solar panels 204 and output 10V.

At block 712, power assets that performed the operations based on block606 of the data telegram, send a response, via the second communicationpath, to MCU 308. For example, the power assets of the second tier mayreceive a data telegram comprising instructions MPPTs of the second tierto change their power profile to control the current of photovoltaicsolar panels 204 and output 10 A and that five MPPTs of the second tieranswer with status information. In this case, power assets thatperformed the operations based on block 606 of the data telegram, send aresponse, via the second communication path, to MCU 308 comprisingstatus information. The system will then repeat block 704 and send thedata telegram to the next tier via the first communication path.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of steps performed inresponse to an indication of a malfunctioning power asset within atiered network. According to this illustrative example embodiment, at802, a first power asset in the second tier of a tiered network mayreceive a data telegram from the first tier via a first communicationpath. The data telegram may include information pertaining to a powerprofile, for example. At 804, the first power asset may determine orascertain its present location and role within the tiered network. Thisstep 804 may be done independently, or it may be done in response toreceiving the data telegram from the first tier as in 802. At 806,further in response to receiving the data telegram as in 802, the firstpower asset may adjust an electrical power characteristic of the outputof at least one power generation source according to a desiredelectrical power characteristic in the power profile. At 808, the firstpower asset of the second tier may be further configured to report anupdated power profile back to the first tier via a second communicationspath. At 810, the first asset may be configured to send a data telegramvia the first communications path to a third tier of the tiered network.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Summary and Abstract sections (if any), is intended to be used tointerpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections (if any) may setforth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the invention ascontemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit theinvention or the appended claims in any way.

While the invention has been described herein with reference toexemplary embodiments for exemplary fields and applications, it shouldbe understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Otherembodiments and modifications thereto are possible, and are within thescope and spirit of the invention. For example, and without limiting thegenerality of this paragraph, embodiments are not limited to thesoftware, hardware, firmware, and/or entities illustrated in the figuresand/or described herein. Further, embodiments (whether or not explicitlydescribed herein) have significant utility to fields and applicationsbeyond the examples described herein.

Embodiments have been described herein with the aid of functionalbuilding blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functionsand relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of thedescription. Alternate boundaries can be defined as long as thespecified functions and relationships (or equivalents thereof) areappropriately performed. Also, alternative embodiments may performfunctional blocks, blocks, operations, methods, etc. using orderingsdifferent than those described herein.

References herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an exampleembodiment,” or similar phrases, indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it would be within the knowledge of persons skilled in therelevant art(s) to incorporate such feature, structure, orcharacteristic into other embodiments whether or not explicitlymentioned or described herein.

The breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited by any ofthe above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power management control system comprising: aplurality of power assets arranged in a tiered network having a treearchitecture; a first tier comprising a controller configured to outputa data telegram communicating a desired output for a power generationsource; a second tier comprising at least one power asset configured to:receive, by a first communication path of the tiered network, the datatelegram from the first tier; adjust an output of the power generationsource according to the data telegram from the first tier; and report,by a second communication path of the tiered network, an update of thepower generation source to the first tier; and a third tier comprisingat least one power asset configured to receive, by the firstcommunication path of the tiered network, the data telegram from thesecond tier.
 2. The system of claim 1, the second tier furtherconfigured to: convert a characteristic of the output the powergeneration source according to the data telegram.
 3. The system of claim1, wherein the data telegram comprises data relating to a currentrequirement for a plurality of loads.
 4. The system of claim 3, whereinthe plurality of loads comprises a plurality of load types.
 5. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein the plurality of load types require aplurality of current requirements.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thepower generation source depends on a plurality of environmentalconditions.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the tiered network iswithin a housing.
 8. In a tiered network comprising a controller and aplurality of power assets arranged in a tree architecture, a systemcomprising: a memory; and at least one processor of a second tier of thetiered network coupled to the memory and configured to: receive, by afirst communication path of the tiered network, a data telegram from afirst tier of the tiered network, wherein the data telegram comprises adesired output for a power generation source; adjust the output of thepower generation source according to the data telegram; report, by asecond communication path of the tiered network, an update of the powergeneration source to the first tier of the tiered network; and send, bythe first communication path of the tiered network, the data telegram toa third tier of the tiered network.
 9. The system of claim 8, the atleast one processor configured to adjust, further configured to: changea load connected to the power generation source according to the datatelegram.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the data telegram comprisesdata relating to a power need of a power storage.
 11. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the power storage may comprise a plurality ofbatteries, flywheels, or capacitors.
 12. The system of claim 8, whereinthe output of the power generation source changes according to aplurality of environmental conditions.
 13. The system of claim 8,wherein the power generation source comprises a plurality of solarpanels.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the tiered network is withina housing.
 15. In a tiered network comprising a controller and aplurality of power assets arranged in a tree architecture, a methodcomprising: compiling a data telegram, wherein the data telegramcomprises a plurality of blocks; sending, by a first communication pathof the controller, the data telegram to a second tier of the tierednetwork, wherein at least one power asset of the second tier of thetiered network is configured to update a power profile according to atleast one block of the data telegram; and receiving, by a secondcommunication path of the tiered network, an update from the at leastone power asset of the second tier of the tiered network.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein the at least one power asset of the second tier ofthe tiered network is further configured to: send, by the firstcommunication path of the tiered network, the data telegram to a thirdtier of the tiered network.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the atleast one asset of the second tier of the tiered network comprises amultipoint power tracker.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the updatemay comprise a power profile calculated by the multipoint power tracker.19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining the tier ofa power asset of the tiered network based upon data flows of the firstcommunication path of the tiered network and the second communicationpath of the tiered network.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein a tierof the tiered network comprises a plurality of batteries, wherein thebatteries are charged according to at least one block of the datatelegram.